New funding arrangements for IMCA eCMID system

We are making improvements to the eCMID vessel inspection database in response to the marked increase in use of the offshore vessels’ inspection scheme.

Over 2,300 vessels from more than 1,000 owners and operators are now listed on the eCMID database, and this is consulted by more than 3,800 users each year. The number of Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs) using the scheme is growing and should expand further under the AVI eCMID scheme run by the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS).

Although the service has to date been provided completely free to the industry by IMCA, the vital operational elements such as running costs, maintenance and development costs have increased significantly since the early days of eCMID.

To manage the increase in use and enable future enhancements to the eCMID website and software, IMCA is to introduce a charge of £100 for each eCMID report uploaded by an AVI from 18 June 2018. The Inspector can recoup the fee by including it in the overall inspection costs. Registering and using the database will remain free of charge.

The income will enable IMCA to respond to feedback from stakeholders on, for example, the use of non-Windows platforms and further website and software developments. Plans are also in hand with IIMS to hold more eCMID workshops each year and to develop an eLearning base.

We trust that the additional features to the eCMID scheme will enable us to develop better performance and safety outcomes for vessel operators and owners.

More details on the charging mechanism will be provided in the weeks ahead.

Mark Ford Technical Manager

The above message was sent to eCMID system users and IMCA Marine Division contacts by email on 12 March 2018.

About eCMID Update

This newsletter is designed to keep readers up to date with all aspects of IMCA’s Common Marine Inspection Document and the accredited vessel inspector scheme. Each issue features: updates on eCMID issues, the eCMID database and the AVI scheme; course and event dates; and interviews and opinions from key members of the user community.